Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration March 2020 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

FMCSA announces its decision to grant an exemption from the commercial driver's license (CDL) regulations to Teupen North America, Inc. (Teupen) for one driver, Mr. Martin Borutta, Lead Engineer for Teupen. Mr. Borutta holds a valid German commercial license and wants to test drive Teupen's new aerial lift design vehicle on U.S. roads to better understand product requirements for safe application in the U.S. market, and verify results. FMCSA believes that the requirements for a German commercial license ensure that operations under the exemption would likely achieve a level of safety equivalent to or greater than the level that would be obtained in the absence of the exemption.

FMCSA announces that Motion Picture Compliance Solutions (MPCS) has applied for an exemption on behalf of its members that employ commercial driver's license (CDL) holders subject to drug and alcohol testing. Specifically, MPCS requests an exemption from the requirement that an employer must not employ a driver who is subject to drug and alcohol testing to perform safety-sensitive functions prior to conducting a full query of the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse (Clearinghouse). Under the requested exemption, MPCS would conduct a limited query of the Clearinghouse before one of its member employers hires a driver for a project. If the limited query indicates that information about the driver exists in the Clearinghouse, the driver would not be permitted to perform safety-sensitive functions unless and until a full query subsequently shows that the driver is not prohibited from operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV). FMCSA requests public comment on MPCS's application for an exemption.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for 11 individuals from the hearing requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) for interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. The exemptions enable these hard of hearing and deaf individuals to continue to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

FMCSA announces its decision to grant the application of R.J. Corman Railroad Services, Cranemasters, Inc., (collectively, ``the Companies'') and the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association, Inc. (NRC) for an exemption from the prohibition against driving a property-carrying commercial motor vehicle (CMV) after the 14th hour after coming on duty and driving after accumulating 60 hours of on-duty time in 7 consecutive days (60-hour rule), or 70 hours of on-duty time in 8 consecutive days (70-hour rule). The exemption will enable railroad employees subject to the hours-of-service (HOS) rules to respond to unplanned events that occur outside of or extend beyond the employee's normal work hours. FMCSA concluded that granting the Companies/NRC's application is likely to achieve a level of safety equivalent to or greater than the level of safety that would be obtained in the absence of the exemption.